Here you can browse the House of Commons Order of Business for Tuesday 23rd January 2001.

Notes:
* indicates a question for oral answer.
[R] indicates that the Member has declared a relevant interest.
Questions for oral answer not reached receive a written answer.
Supplementary questions will also be asked. Other Ministers may also answer.

+ indicates Government business.
Timings are indicative only.

At 2.30 p.m. Prayers

Afterwards

Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

*1

Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley): What representations he has made to the Turkish Government on the treatment of political prisoners and human rights.

(
145033
)

*2

Mr Andrew Miller (Ellesmere Port and Neston): If he will make a statement about the situation in the Middle East.

(
145034
)

*3

Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon): If he will make a statement on the recent bilateral conference with Greece in Hydra.

(
145035
)

*4

Mr Paul Goggins (Wythenshawe and Sale East): When he next plans to discuss the implementation of Plan Colombia with representatives of the US Government.

(
145036
)

*5

Angela Smith (Basildon): If he will make a statement about Government relations with Cuba.

(
145037
)

*6

Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): When he last had discussions with the Prime Minister of Turkey; and if he will make a statement.

Helen Jones (Warrington North): If he will make a statement on the United Nations Security Council Expert Panel report on the link between diamonds and the arms trade in Sierra Leone.

(
145040
)

*9

Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody (Crewe and Nantwich): If he will make a statement on the treatment of Jews in Iran.

(
145042
)

*10

Mrs Linda Gilroy (Plymouth, Sutton): What representations he has received from the Polish community in Britain about the ratification of the Treaty of Nice.

(
145044
)

*11

Mr Roger Berry (Kingswood): What assessment the Government has made of the United Nations Security Council Expert Panel report on the link between diamonds and the arms trade in Sierra Leone.

(
145045
)

*12

Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): What recent discussions he has had with his Swedish counterpart on preparations for the forthcoming enlargement of the European Union; and if he will make a statement.

(
145046
)

*13

Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): What steps have been taken to promote trade with North Korea since establishment of diplomatic relations with that country.

(
145047
)

*14

Dr Stephen Ladyman (South Thanet): If he will make a statement on the objectives of the Swedish presidency to increase the transparency of decision making in the European Union.

(
145048
)

*15

Ms Tess Kingham (Gloucester): If he will make a statement regarding recent developments in the peace process for Western Sahara.

(
145049
)

*16

Mr David Ruffley (Bury St. Edmunds): If he will make a statement on the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

(
145050
)

*17

Barbara Follett (Stevenage): If he will make a statement on the role of his Department in the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Southern Africa.

(
145051
)

*18

Mr Donald Anderson (Swansea East): When he expects to meet the new United States Secretary of State to discuss arms control.

(
145052
)

*19

Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South): When he last met his Turkish counterpart; and what issues they discussed.

[R]

(
145053
)

*20

Dr George Turner (North West Norfolk): What discussions he has had with the new Administration in the US on the future role of NATO.

(
145054
)

*21

Mr Archy Kirkwood (Roxburgh and Berwickshire): If he will make a statement on the situation in Zimbabwe.

(
145055
)

*22

Tony Wright (Cannock Chase): If he will make a statement on recent discussions he has had with China on the future of Tibet.

(
145056
)

*23

David Taylor (North West Leicestershire): What factors underlay the advice given by his Department to the Department of Trade and Industry in respect of the declined export licence applications 14478 and 14146.

(
145057
)

*24

Mr Desmond Browne (Kilmarnock and Loudoun): If he will make a statement on the failure of the 1999 Lusaka peace accord to maintain a stable peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

(
145058
)

*25

Mr David Heath (Somerton and Frome): What discussions he has had with the incoming United States Administration on national missile defence proposals.

(
145059
)

*26

Dr Nick Palmer (Broxtowe): What assessment he has made of relations between the UK and Denmark; and if he will make a statement.

(
145060
)

*27

Mr Malcolm Savidge (Aberdeen North): What discussions he has had with the new United States Administration on issues relating to defence and disarmament.

(
145061
)

*28

Mr Jim Murphy (Eastwood): If he will make a statement about the peace process in the Middle East.

(
145062
)

*29

Mr Gwyn Prosser (Dover): What progress he has made in reaching agreement with the Chinese Government for the return to China of the remains of the 58 young people found dead at Dover.

(
145063
)

*30

Derek Wyatt (Sittingbourne and Sheppey): How many ambassadorial and consular offices and houses (a) have been and (b) are due to be sold since May 1997; and if he will make a statement.

(
145064
)

*31

John Robertson (Glasgow Anniesland): What discussions he has had with the new United States Administration on strategic defence and disarmament.

(
145065
)

*32

Mr Michael Connarty (Falkirk East): If he will make a statement about relations with Cuba.

(
145066
)

*33

Fiona Mactaggart (Slough): What recent discussions he has had with opposition groups in Iraq about the effect of sanctions.

(
145067
)

*34

Mr Bill Tynan (Hamilton South): What assessment he has made of the United Nations Security Council expert panel report on the link between diamonds and the arms trade in Sierra Leone.

(
145068
)

*35

Mr Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington): If he will make a statement on Iraq.

(
145069
)

*36

Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham): What representations he has received from (a) the new US Administration and (b) Republican member of the US Congress about the UK strengthening links with NAFTA.

(
145070
)

*37

Ms Linda Perham (Ilford North): If he will make a statement on the treatment of Jews in Iran.

(
145072
)

At 3.30 p.m.

Private Notice Questions (if any)Ministerial Statements (if any)

Note: Provision has been made for a Business Motion to be moved at 10.00 p.m. (Standing Order No. 15).

Main Business

That this House declines to give a Second Reading to the Social Security Contributions (Share Options) Bill because, while it contains provisions which improve upon the existing unreasonable situation, it would be unreasonable to require companies to gamble on their tax liabilities where share options may never be exercised and possibly contrary to the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

[R] Relevant interest declared.

Debate may continue until 10.00 p.m.

At 10.00 p.m.

+

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE [No debate]

The Prime Minister

That, at this day's sitting, the Motion in the name of Margaret Beckett relating to Private Members' Bills and the Motion in the name of Mr Secretary Milburn may be proceeded with, though opposed, until any hour.

That the following provisions shall apply to the Social Security Contributions (Share Options) Bill

Standing Committee

1. The Bill shall be committed to a Standing Committee.

2. Proceedings in the Standing Committee shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion on Thursday 1st February 2001.

3. The Standing Committee shall have leave to sit twice on the first day on which it shall meet.

The Speaker will put the Question not later than 45 minutes after proceedings begin (Order of 7th November 2000).

+ 3

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE [Until any hour]

Margaret Beckett

That Private Members' Bills shall have precedence over Government business on 2nd and 9th February, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th March, 6th and 27th April, 11th and 18th May, 8th and 15th June and 20th July.

Debate may continue until any hour if the 10.00 p.m. Business Motion is agreed to.

+ 4

TRIBUNALS OF INQUIRY (EVIDENCE) ACT 1921 [Until any hour]

Mr Secretary Milburn

That it is expedient that a Tribunal be established under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act 1921, for inquiring into a matter of definite public importance, that is to say, the matters arising from the deaths of patients of Harold Shipman, with the following terms of reference

(a) after receiving the existing evidence and hearing such further evidence as necessary, to consider the extent of Harold Shipman's unlawful activities;

(b) to enquire into the actions of the statutory bodies, authorities, other organisations and responsible individuals concerned in the procedures and investigations which followed the deaths of those of Harold Shipman's patients who died in unlawful or suspicious circumstances;

(c) by reference to the case of Harold Shipman to enquire into the performance of the functions of those statutory bodies, authorities, other organisations and individuals with responsibility for monitoring primary care provision and the use of controlled drugs; and

(d) following those enquiries, to recommend what steps, if any, should be taken to protect patients in the future, and to report its findings to the Secretary of State for the Home Department and to the Secretary of State for Health.

Debate may continue until any hour if the 10.00 p.m. Business Motion is agreed to.

That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 3272), dated 13th December 2000, a copy of which was laid before this House on 19th December, be annulled.

The Speaker will put the Question after 1½ hours or at 11.30 p.m., whichever is earlier (subject to Standing Order No. 17(2)).

+ 6

EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING [No debate]

Mr Secretary Blunkett

That the draft Industrial Training Levy (Engineering Construction Board) Order 2001, which was laid before this House on 21st December, be approved.

To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).

+ 7

EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING [No debate]

Mr Secretary Blunkett

That the draft Industrial Training Levy (Construction Board) Order 2001, which was laid before this House on 21st December, be approved.

To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).

+ 8

LEGAL SERVICES [No debate]

Mr David Lock

That the draft Access to Justice Act 1999 (Bar Practising Certificates) Order 2001, which was laid before this House on 15th January, be approved.

To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).

+ 9

SITTINGS IN WESTMINSTER HALL [No debate after 10.00 p.m.]

Margaret Beckett

That, following the Order [20th November 2000], Mr Nicholas Winterton, Mr John McWilliam, Mr Barry Jones and Frank Cook be appointed to act as additional Deputy Speakers at sittings in Westminster Hall during this Session.

If opposed, this item cannot be taken after 10.00 p.m.

+ 10

SELECT COMMITTEES (JOINT MEETINGS) [No debate after 10.00 p.m.]

Margaret Beckett
Paddy Tipping

That, for the current Session of Parliament, Standing Order No. 152 (Select committees related to government departments) be amended as follows:

Line 37, before the word `European' insert the words `Environmental Audit Committee or with the'.

Line 46, before the word `European' insert the words `Environmental Audit Committee or with the'.

Line 48, at the end insert the words:

`(4A) notwithstanding paragraphs (2) and (4) above, where more than two committees or sub-committees appointed under this order meet concurrently in accordance with paragraph (4)(e) above, the quorum of each such committee or sub-committee shall be two.'

Witnesses: National Association of Memorial Masons; New Opportunities Fund and Heritage Lottery Fund (at 10.20 a.m.); English Heritage (at 10.40 a.m.); The Rt. honourable Paul Boateng, MP, Minister of State, Home Office, and the Rt. honourable Hilary Armstrong, MP, Minister for Local Government and the Regions, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (at 11.20 a.m.).

Immediately after the meeting of the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments

Room 7 (private)

JOINT COMMITTEE

19

Statutory Instruments

4.15 p.m.

Room 7 (private)

[The decision of a Committee to sit in public may be rescinded without notice.]

Written Questions tabled on Monday 22nd January for answer today++

1

Angela Smith (Basildon): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he has received advice from the Economic Regulation Group of the Civil Aviation Authority on the economic regulatory regime for the public/private partnership for National Traffic Services Ltd; and if he will make a statement.

(
147157
)

2

Mr Brian White (North East Milton Keynes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when he intends to make available an audit of how the recommendations made by the 18 policy action teams have been implemented.

(
147158
)

3

Helen Jackson (Sheffield, Hillsborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when he will publish the Treasure Annual Report 1998-99.

(
147199
)

4

Mr Stephen Hepburn (Jarrow): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to advertise the proposed prime contracting arrangements for Scotland.

(
147205
)

5

Mr Iain Coleman (Hammersmith and Fulham): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what impact the adoption of the accounting requirements of Financial Reporting Standard (FRS) 15 had on London Underground Limited's Annual Accounts for 1999-2000; and what impact they will have on its accounts for 2001-01.

(
147206
)

6

Mr Ivor Caplin (Hove): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what changes he proposes to make to the stakeholder pensions regulations.